Partick Housing Association, in partnership with EveryStage, Partick Community Council and the Department for Work & Pensions, has launched an initiative that links employability courses directly to paid employment placements, through the Bigger Partick Picnic.

Taking place on Saturday 27th June 2026, 12pm–5pm at Mansfield Park, Partick, the Bigger Partick Picnic is a free, family friendly annual event bringing together local organisations, performers, activities and stalls to celebrate Partick’s incredible community. This year, it is also creating a platform for local young people to get events management training and the opportunity to gain employment through a supported paid work placement.

Partick Housing Association is collaborating with EveryStage to facilitate an employability course, designed to equip unemployed young people with the practical skills needed to kickstart a career in the events industry.

Through the ‘Introduction to Events Planning and Management’ course, participants learned how to plan and deliver a real event with the opportunity to interview for a paid placement to work on the Bigger Partick Picnic itself.

The result is a direct employment pathway, made possible with support from Glasgow City Council’s Area Partnership Fund. The grant has enabled Partick Housing Association to fund the training programme and create a paid event placement for a local young person to work at a major community event attended by hundreds of local residents, just weeks before the city welcomes the world for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

This programme arrives at a prominent moment for youth unemployment in Scotland. With nearly 1 million young people in the UK not in education, employment or training, this initiative combines accredited training with guaranteed interview opportunities and real paid work.

The timing is perfect. Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games opens on 23rd July, just weeks after the Partick Bigger Picnic.

EveryStage is a Scottish-based events management and training company, which offers a range of employability programmes linking to the events sector. Their partnership with the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games has enabled paid placements for Community Ambassadors - participants drawn from past employability programmes.

These Community Ambassadors are already active across the city as part of the ‘All In’ public engagement programme. They will represent the Games at this year’s Partick Bigger Picnic, offering a range of activities to get involved with.

This year’s event will showcase Partick’s vibrant community atmosphere, including live music from local artists such as Black Star Steel Band and James McKay, along with amazing local performers such as a bubbleologist and funky face-painting.

There will be a range of stalls from organisations such as the Hunterian Museum, Saltire FC and more, plus local businesses, cafes and a Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games activation, as part of the ‘All In’ campaign.

The event is free to attend, and all are welcome.

Anthony Coia, communications and engagement officer at Partick Housing Association, said: “This year, The BIGGER Partick Picnic is about more than just a great day out — it’s about creating real opportunities locally.

“Partick Housing Association have teamed up with event management and training organisation EveryStage, and thanks to support from Glasgow City Council’s Area Partnership Fund, we can offer local unemployed young people the chance to train, gain valuable skills and experience, and a paid employment opportunity.

“Our goal is to create a meaningful, lasting change for local young people every year, while continuing to deliver a fantastic event for the whole community.”

Morrie Dolan, EveryStage placement participant, added: “EveryStage is providing me with genuine knowledge and experience on running an event,
giving me helpful resources to proceed in future projects.

“I am enjoying learning about what goes on inside events planning at The Bigger Partick Picnic and I have managed to collaborate with peers on a project of our own with complete freedom of the premise of the event. It gave me confidence and showed me that anyone can do this at any stage of their life.”